Can a Drug Allergy Cause Cholinergic Urticaria?

January 17, 2016 by Forum Member

My cholinergic urticaria started 3 years ago after an allergic reaction to a drug. I had hives galore and burning, stinging and itching pretty much nonstop. Also my throat would close up. It was horrendous and frightening.

I came off the drug that was causing it for 4.5 months. My throat stopped closing up, but the skin problems remain off and on since then. My question is could the cholinergic urticaria be carried on because of this allergic reaction with the drug at the time, even though I’m coming off of the drug causing it?

I’ve been diagnosed by two dermatologists with cholinergic urticaria. This illness causes me much distress along with 3 years of nasal congestion which has no cure, also causing me suicidal thoughts. I’ve been like this for 3 years and attempted taking my life once already last year. I’m stuck in this vicious circle where if my nose is not sorted than I will have continuing problems with my skin because of the distress.

It’s truly unbearable.

Thanks,

Mike

Share this:

Comments

Mike,
I’m sorry to hear of your struggles with all of this. It’s hard to say what can cause CU, but it is certainly possible that a drug allergy made your immune system hypersensitive. It’s hard to say for sure. All I can say is that life can seem very bleak when struggling with this. I had my days where I didn’t want to live. However, I kept pushing through. Your hives may randomly go away on their own, or you may find ways to treat them more effectively if you keep trying and don’t lose hope. It can take time, but hang in there. Hang on to the hope that your hives will improve in time, and don’t stop fighting to find a way to better manage (or eliminate) them.

Thanks for taking time to respond to my message. I do appreciate your time and advice. I had a feeling the allergic reaction I was having for so many months had triggered something. It is good to find this could be the case. Many thanks again, much appreciated.

My CU also seemed to appear the next day after I had a drug injection many years ago. My CU seems to be worse in the seasons following any dental work or surgery that requires injection of pain killers. If you think about it there are many receptors in our cells that are keyed to fit opiods, cannabinoids, etc. and some foods like wheat or dairy, etc. have very similar antigenic properties. So it is logical that if we get a form of “serum sickness” from drugs injected or swallowed the immune reaction goes on when challenged by similar antigens even though the drug itself may be mostly gone. However, as Ben notes in his video and book your first step is to cut out drugs and all other non essential chemicals and to drop your diet down to the fewest healthy unmixed food items possible with an elimination diet. Once you get to a “lowest common denominator” of the least and purely essential items necessary for good health you will see your health improve and your hormones balance and the load on the immune system drops to a level that allows you to heal. It takes time for some antigens that are incorporated into your cells to leave or be cleansed from the body. Stress plays a big role too in your physical health. After 40 years of dealing with CU I have observed that your relationship with the hives can determine your outlook on many things including your own happiness and of those around you. I strongly recommend you look into developing a daily meditation practice which does many things to reduce your suffering. Hives are uncomfortable. I just had a bout…maybe the 15,000th time in my life, BUT try welcoming them as a reminder to keep purifying your body and reducing the pain, and at the same time realize that it is often our fear and aversion to the discomfort that causes true mental suffering. Treat the hives like a friend with good advice that visits you daily and realize he may be there telling you things you would rather not hear, but he never stays too long….for that we should be extremely grateful. I am 62, and I am among the healthiest people you will encounter in the USA of this age. Perhaps the hives have helped keep me on track with a healthy diet and a motivation to adopt a practice of meditation in which I am learning not to let my fears and emotions send me to the hormonal brink with tons of cortisol circulating constantly and wearing down the adrenals, etc. etc. etc. As Ben says there is an answer to your question. Don’t suffer mentally needlessly. Let go of the aversion, but do be diligent in pursuing the diet and a clean lifestyle with plenty of rest and sunshine, etc. Many of us have found ways to minimize the hives and go for months without them and lead very happy and healthy lives. How lucky we are to have a body at all and the hives remind us we are alive and to enjoy life every minute and also that we must be careful about the diet etc. You are in for a new age of inquiry now and you WILL find a way. Best of luck with your search and remember the hives are not permanent but usually come and go fairly quickly. Ben and others here share many strategies that work.

Hi Mike,
I also have the same problem. And the reason is nasal congestion.
You can do is take warm water with salt and put it into ur nose every day.
Close one nose and put salt water in ur other hand and suck it. Do same with the other nose.
Hope this will help.

There is a saline solution in a nasal spray that is sold over the counter. Works fine. I had a lot of dental work and had flu shots every year. Don’t know if either caused my up but I take hot showers and try to sweat as much as possible, saunas, and then apply SARNA ALL OVER AREAS IF NECK TO TOES AND THIS SETTLES MY CU DOWN.
Still itch and scratch almost every night but no hives an it is a lot better, I sleep for the most part every night.
If they could cure us if not sweating on a regular basis I think they would cure us.
63 and have had UC for 4 years.

Cholinergic Urticaria eBook

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Email Address

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is NOT intended to be medical advice. Rather, this site is a platform for people to share experiences on chronic hives. Never take or stop taking any drug, supplement, exercise or diet program, or other treatment unless your doctor approves it. Some treatments, such as sweat therapy, may not be safe for you. By accessing this website, you agree not to hold the owner liable for any use, misuse, or negligence resulting from your use of the site and/or its contents.